Buena Vista, Va. – Christopher Newport's 12^th-ranked women's basketball team used a 17-0 run to begin the second quarter Wednesday night and blow open a road contest at Southern Virginia as they cruised to their 22^nd win of the season, 99-61 over the host Knights. The win improved the Captains to 22-2 on the season, and 15-2 in Capital Athletic Conference play.

With the Captains win, and Marymount's 69-57 victory over Mary Washington in Arlington, Christopher Newport finds themselves in sole possession of first place in the CAC standings. The Saints and Eagles are deadlocked at 14-3 in the conference standings with one game remaining.

Using a well-rounded attack in the first period, CNU saw eight different players score in the opening quarter. Anitra Thomas' pair of free throws extended the lead to 18-11 with less than a minute to play in the period but Jamilla Gambee would get the Knights back to within in five to start the second stanza. It would be the closest Southern Virginia could get to the Captains.

Jessica Daguilh took a nifty entry pass from Devon Byrd on the second quarter's first possession and the pair partnered up less than a minute later as Daguilh finished another Byrd assist to officially spark the Captains' offense. When Bailey Dufrene and Jasmine Bonivel knocked down back-to-back three-pointers minutes later, the Captains were well on their way to a 35-13 lead that ended a 17-0 run to begin the quarter.

Twelve Captains scored in the game's first half, led by freshman forward, Micah Maloney who scored seven of her team leading 17 points. The well-rounded offensive performance was buoyed by the Captains' always suffocating defensive pressure as the Knights converted on less than 30% of their shots and committed 15 turnovers in the opening half.

Christopher Newport claimed a 47-25 lead when they headed to the locker room at intermission.

Southern Virginia entered the game winless in CAC play with an 0-16 mark, but the Knights battled coming out of the locker room. Sophomore guard, Meredith Oulette brought SVU within 19 as she converted two layups and a three-pointer on consecutive possessions to trim the lead to 56-37 with 6:31 to play. The Captains responded quickly.

Madison Howdyshell knocked down a three-pointer off a helper by Makeda Wright. Daguilh followed with a layup while Wright and Howdyshell added free throws to cap an 8-0 mini-run that effectively put the game out of reach with Christopher Newport ahead 64-37. CNU led 70-45 at the end of the third quarter and pulled away in the final ten minutes for the decisive victory.

In total, 14 players added to the Captains scoring total shooting 53% from the field and nearly 65% from the three-point line. The Captains bench played a pivotal role as Howdyshell added 14 points and Bonivel finished with 11, a new season-high for the junior forward as the two joined Maloney as the only Captains in double figures.

Southern Virginia was harassed into 33 turnovers which CNU converted into 33 points in the defeat. The Knights fall to 3-21 on the season and conclude their season Saturday against St. Mary's (Md.).

The Captains will complete their regular-season slate on Saturday when they travel to York (Pa.). Christopher Newport defeated the Spartans 76-64 in the Freeman Center in December. A win Saturday would give the Captains their first regular-season CAC title. Tip off is scheduled for 1 p.m and will be webcast in high definition at CNUsports.com/LIVE.